A Neural Network Classifier Model for Forecasting Safety Behavior at Workplaces

The construction industry is notorious for having an unacceptable rate of fatal accidents. Unsafe behavior has been recognized as the main cause of most accidents occurring at workplaces, particularly construction sites. Having a predictive model of safety behavior can be helpful in preventing construction accidents. The aim of the present study was to build a predictive model of unsafe behavior using the Artificial Neural Network approach. A brief literature review was conducted on factors affecting safe behavior at workplaces and nine factors were selected to be included in the study. Data were gathered using a validated questionnaire from several construction sites. Multilayer perceptron approach was utilized for constructing the desired neural network. Several models with various architectures were tested to find the best one. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to find the most influential factors. The model with one hidden layer containing fourteen hidden neurons demonstrated the best performance (Sum of Squared Errors=6.73). The error rate of the model was approximately 21 percent. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that safety attitude, safety knowledge, supportive environment, and management commitment had the highest effects on safety behavior, while the effects from resource allocation and perceived work pressure were identified to be lower than those of others. The complex nature of human behavior at workplaces and the presence of many influential factors make it difficult to achieve a model with perfect performance

A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-TOPSIS framework for prioritizing emergency in a petrochemical industry

Background: Petrochemical industry has experienced a variety of accidents and the number of emergency situation in this industry is high. Therefore, prioritizing these situations is important. The aim of this study was to determine the effective criteria for the selection of emergency scenario and prioritize them for corrective actions. Subjects and Methods: Delphi technique was used to determine and prioritize the appropriate criteria for the selection of high-risk emergency scenarios. Then, the weights of selected criteria were obtained using fuzzy hierarchical analysis and finally, using the fuzzy TOPSIS technique, the criteria for emergency scenarios were prioritized for corrective actions. Results: The most important criteria for the selection of dangerous emergencies included the amount of loss, damage, and probability. According to the weight of these criteria, emergency situations were prioritized. The most important emergencies included fire in the chemical storage, hydrogen leakage at the cylinder fitting in the Alfin unit, and extreme gas leakage in one of the power plant turbines. Conclusions: Using this approach, high-priority emergencies can be identified, and it is suggested that planning for controlling these situations and preventing crises should be prioritized by managers

Effects of human and organizational deficiencies on workers’ safety behavior at a mining site in Iran

OBJECTIVES Throughout the world, mines are dangerous workplaces with high accident rates. According to the Statistical Center of Iran, the number of occupational accidents in Iranian mines has increased in recent years. This study investigated and analyzed the human and organizational deficiencies that influenced Iranian mining accidents. METHODS In this study, the data associated with 305 mining accidents were analyzed using a systems analysis approach to identify critical deficiencies in organizational influences, unsafe supervision, preconditions for unsafe acts, and workers’ unsafe acts. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to model the interactions among these deficiencies. RESULTS Organizational deficiencies had a direct positive effect on workers’ violations (path coefficient, 0.16) and workers’ errors (path coefficient, 0.23). The effect of unsafe supervision on workers’ violations and workers’ errors was also significant, with path coefficients of 0.14 and 0.20, respectively. Likewise, preconditions for unsafe acts had a significant effect on both workers’ violations (path coefficient, 0.16) and workers’ errors (path coefficient, 0.21). Moreover, organizational deficiencies had an indirect positive effect on workers’ unsafe acts, mediated by unsafe supervision and preconditions for unsafe acts. Among the variables examined in the current study, organizational influences had the strongest impact on workers’ unsafe acts. CONCLUSIONS Organizational deficiencies were found to be the main cause of accidents in the mining sector, as they affected all other aspects of system safety. In order to prevent occupational accidents, organizational deficiencies should be modified first

Developing Emergency Scenario through the Project Management Body of Knowledge Approach

Background & Objectives : The sound planning is needed for effective implementation of an emergency exercise. The exercise planning is manifested in the scenario development process. Despite the frequent execution of exercises in the industries and the public domain, there is no uniform pattern for designing scenarios. The present paper aims at devising a new pattern based on the project management body of knowledge ( PMBOK) approach. Methods: Ten principles of the PMBOK and their substructures were analyzed. The application processes were extracted in two parts the structural and executive parts. Then, these processes were translated into the its equivalent norms in the emerging scenario development process. Finally, a pattern was proposed for preparing an emergency scenario. Result: The proposed method was developed in a ten step process. Step by step implementation of these processes can help one to make an acceptable scenario. In comparison with the two most common international patterns for developing a scenario, the present method has some unique characteristics. Quality, Time, Cost and Interested Parties management are the mentioned properties. In general, the present method has some components that represent more details for users.. Conclusions : Using the project management body of knowledge approach one can develop a standard frame for developing an emergency scenario

Occupational Injuries Overview: General descriptive study of the Petrochemical Construction Industries

Objectives: This paper aims at providing a general picture of the occupational injuries within the construction industry. Contributing factors have been discussed by conducting a cross section study. Methods: Hospital registries were examined and occupational injuries data mining was done. Injuries were classified in terms of time of occurrence, age and sex of victims, the seasonal pattern of injuries, literacy condition, type of employment, type of accidents, location where accidents occurred, affected body part, causes of accident and final outcomes Results:  It was founded a fivefold increased frequency of injuries during the 3 year study period (from 12% to 57%). The main portion of cases (73.6 %) was treated without any further consequence. 1.7% of all injuries resulted in death and about 0.3% of cases terminated to permanent disabilities.  Some diverse factors such as age, literacy status, seasonal variations, etc. can influence occurrence patterns of injuries. Most of the injuries occurred in the contractor’s working fields. Conclusion: Many factors can influence the construction injuries. To understand better about the construction injuries it is recommended to analyze the associated variables. Such analysis is an important input for accident prevention activities or even decision making

Comparative study of Usability of Two Patterns for Developing an Emergency Scenario recommended by International Standard Organization and Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program

Introduction: A systematic approach is needed for effective coping an incident. In such a system, the preparedness is the top priority. The organization’s readiness depends on some factors, including regular exercises. To conduct a proper exercise it is necessary to have a comprehensive scenario. Despite of repetitive execution of exercises, there is no commonly accepted template for it. The present study aims at selecting preferred method for developing an emergency exercise. Methods: In the present study, ISO 22398 and HSEEP as the two common patterns were compared through quantifying their usability and chosen by AHP. A panel of crisis experts scored the usability criteria of methods and selected the preferred method. Results: The assessment of usability of both patterns revealed the preference of ISO pattern in comparison with the HSEEP pattern. The HSEEP method had the better score in learnability and satisfaction, but, the effectiveness, efficiency and total score were higher for ISO 22398. Conclusion: To develop an emergency scenario, it is necessary to follow a suitable pattern. The pattern presented by ISO 22398 is more usable in comparison with HSEEP paten

Representation of a Framework for Determining Emergency Muster Points in Process Industries Using Integrated FAHP-FTOPSIS Methods

Background and Objective: Emergency evacuation planning is one of the most central protective measures in emergency situations. Determination of the emergency muster points is one of the principal requirements of emergency evacuation planning. In this regard, this study aimed to represent a framework for determining emergency muster points in process industries. Materials and Methods: After examining various texts, the effective criteria for determining emergency muster points were identified, and the relative weight of each criterion was calculated using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method. Finally, the fuzzy technique for order preference by the similarity of an ideal solution (FTOPSIS) method was utilized to prioritize and determine optimal emergency muster points. Results: According to the calculations by the FAHP method, from the total 12 criteria surveyed in this study, the first eight criteria from any factors with the highest weight were introduced as the most significant factors. The criteria of external factors affected relative weights, dis-tances from the hazard centers, prevailing wind conditions, nature of probable scenarios, and the presence of vulnerable groups. On the other hand, the criteria of internal factors included the potential impact of the accident, easy accessibility, visibility, and monitoring, as well as travel time. Conclusion: Identification and evaluation of emergency muster points shall be made based on distances from the hazard centers, prevailing wind conditions, nature of probable scenarios, presence of vulnerable groups, the potential impact of the accident, easy accessibility, visibility, and monitoring, as well as travel time

Evaluation of the Emergency Preparedness Level at Training Complex of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences through Using ISO 22399:2003

Background:  emergencies can impose huge dolls on the organizations. Such consequences, due to aggregation of the experts, could lead to the more catastrophic outcomes in the academic environments. Usually, the academic environments are less familiar with the management of the emergencies. The present paper tries to measure the preparedness level against the emergencies in the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Method: a basic checklist was developed based on the ISO 22399:2003. The, an audit team was established and conducted the audit process. Five core element that were investigated included: planning, organizational structure, resources, communication and scenario analysis. These items were scored 0-3 according to the sampling audit evidences. Results: the overall status of all elements were assessed as the "unacceptable". The least score belonged to the scenario analysis and the most was related to the resources. Discussion: regarding the obtained results, it seems that there is a vital need to establishing an emergency management system for Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The most practical offer is following the accepted standards for implementing an emergency management system

Assessment of Safety Procedures in Industries and Development of a Framework for Improving their Usability

Background and Objective: Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are always considered a guide for performing tasks in industries. The present study aimed to identify the effective factors in increasing the usability of safety SOPs. Materials and Methods: In this observational-analytical study, guidelines, books, and studies in the SOPs were used to identify factors that improve their usability. These factors were assigned to four main groups. A Delphi study was conducted to investigate and ensure the effectiveness of these factors. Data analysis, including validity and reliability, was performed in SPSS software (version 22). Results: In this study, which aimed to design and develop a tool for increasing the usability of SOP, 22 factors were identified and categorized into four main groups. After the Delphi study, the content validity ratio (CVR) for the designed instrument was 0.83, the content validity index (CVI) was calculated at 0.955, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was obtained at 0.819. Conclusion: In this study, 22 factors in four main groups were identified to be effective in increasing the usability of safety SOPs. Their effectiveness was evaluated and proven. According to this study, all procedures in the industry should be developed in a specific framework, their applicability should be examined in a specific period of time, and if necessary, they should be reviewed and amended